80-yr-old to be face of 12-hour long marathon in Mumbai
The Mumbai Runners Group from Shivaji Park, which has organised a 12-hour marathon, has projected an 80-year-old as the face of the marathon to be held on August 15.
Wondering if you're too old to embark on a new journey? Think again. A group of city marathoners may alter the way you look at life and yourself. The Mumbai Runners Group from Shivaji Park, which has organised a 12-hour marathon, has projected an 80-year-old as the face of the marathon to be held on August 15.
"He sends across a strong message and that is why we have selected him. At the age of 60, people retire and are advised to not do any work. It is said even doctors stop operating because their hands start shivering. But here we have this spine surgeon who is okay with running for 12 hours straight," said Naveen Hegde, one of the organisers of the Mumbai Runners Group, which is organising the marathon.
The marathon will be held between 5 am and 5 pm from Shivaji Park-Worli Sea Face-Mela restaurant and back. "I am really looking forward to this. This will be my 99th marathon and in November, I will be completing my 100th one," said Dr PS Ramani, a renowned spine surgeon.
He added: "I would want to complete the entire 12-hour run. This is the first time I will be doing this. It is only in South Africa that such a marathon is held. Over there, people cover a certain distance in each lap."
Ramani, who runs every day, and for long hours on Sundays, made friends with the organisers during one such routine run. "I liked the idea and was willing to take part. I also have my own marathon. But in the last 30 years, there has been no marathon where I ran for 12 hours constantly. I really look forward to doing this."